Haemong Gangnam: Experience Seoul’s Legendary “Life Ribs” in Gangnam

Welcome to a flavor journey at Haemong (해몽), a restaurant nestled in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul, that has earned a stellar reputation for its unforgettable ribs. Known locally as the place for “life ribs,” Haemong has consistently impressed diners, including my own circle of acquaintances, who have never been disappointed by this culinary gem. Featured on popular Korean food shows like “Delicious Guys” and even on my own channel previously, Haemong is a restaurant you can confidently visit for a truly satisfying meal.

Effortless Dining with Remote Queuing

Remember the days of long waits? Before the advent of remote queuing apps like Habling, dining at Haemong required strategic planning. We used to put our names down on the Mediaus waiting list and then find a nearby cafe to pass the time. Thankfully, with the introduction of remote queuing, enjoying Haemong’s exquisite ribs has become a much more relaxed and convenient experience.

A Glimpse into Haemong’s Ambiance

Upon arriving at Haemong, you might notice a slight change in the exterior. The recent remodeling has replaced the old, slightly pojangmacha (street food stall) style red awning with a more structured steel framework. While I personally appreciated the previous, slightly elevated pojangmacha vibe, the updated look is still welcoming.

Menu Update: Focusing on the Best

The menu has also seen a subtle but significant change. Previously offering pork neck and pork jowl, Haemong has streamlined its pork selection to focus on the premium Anchangsal (skirt meat). One thing remains unchanged: the rule about not being able to order additional servings of ribs. As the ribs require a bit of preparation time, we started our meal with Anchangsal as an appetizer.

Sizzling Start with Anchangsal

The charcoal and grill arrived promptly, revealing another upgrade – the grill itself. Instead of the previous universal square iron grill, Haemong now uses specialized grills depending on the meat. For Anchangsal, we were presented with a round grill, while ribs are cooked on a wire mesh grill.

Complimentary side dishes include a wonderfully spicy Oden Tang (fish cake soup), perfect for pairing with a Soju cocktail (Somaek). We started with a refreshing Somaek as our Anchangsal arrived. The American beef Anchangsal boasted a vibrant red color and looked incredibly fresh. The best part? The staff expertly grills the Anchangsal for you, preventing it from sticking to the grill and ensuring it’s cooked to perfection.

The owner himself not only grills the meat but also portions it out onto our plates, offering tips on how to best savor each bite. He recommended trying it plain first to appreciate the pure beef flavor, and then with a spicy chili sauce. The Anchangsal was lean, not at all greasy, and paired exceptionally well with Soju.

The Star of the Show: Life Ribs

Once the Anchangsal was enjoyed, the grill was changed to accommodate the main event – the ribs. Donning a glove on one hand is a must to fully indulge in the ribs. Finally, the pre-cooked ribs arrived. While they take a little longer due to the initial grilling, this pre-cooking means they cook quickly on your table, requiring just a brief heating to be ready to eat.

The staff expertly handles the initial rib trimming, but if you’re lucky, the owner himself will grace your table with his impressive rib-cutting skills. His technique is almost like a dance, accompanied by engaging commentary that adds to the whole experience. He emphasizes the most delicious part of the rib is the meat surrounding the bone, especially where the marinade is concentrated. Following his instructions, we let the ribs get slightly charred, creating a perfect crispy texture.

Savoring Every Bite

Using gloves, we tore apart the juicy, slightly charred ribs and savored every bite. The remaining ribs were grilled using the owner’s unique rhythmic technique, something hard to replicate but delicious nonetheless. Despite trying to avoid carbs, the aroma of the Nostalgic Lunch Box (냄비 도시락) was too tempting to resist. Mixing the half-boiled egg into the rice and adding small pieces of leftover rib meat elevated the simple lunch box into a gourmet delight.

A Satisfying Culinary Conclusion

Looking at the pile of rib bones at the end of our meal, it was clear we had thoroughly enjoyed every last piece. Haemong truly lives up to its reputation as the “life ribs” destination in Gangnam. If you’re in Seoul and craving exceptional ribs, Haemong is an absolute must-visit.